GOD’S WORD FOR  MAY 2

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

RELINQUISHED REGRET

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

D.L. MOODY

The flesh is weak.  Is there anyone on Earth that dares to dispute that statement?  Is there anything  weaker under the sun than the human flesh?  The spirit is willing.  Most men would rather do the right thing, and even think they will do it.  Tell them that they will do evil things inside of twelve months, and they would say, as the king did, “Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?  No Never”  (2 Kings 8:7-15).  But they will do it just the same.  “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

ERWIN LUTZER

What hope is there when we blow it?  What if we deny that which we know to be true and live contrary to what we believe?  What happens when we don’t live up to our expectations and ideals?  On the night Jesus Christ was betrayed, Peter boasted too much, prayed too little, acted too soon, followed too far, and thought too late. When Peter began to realize he had betrayed Jesus, he wept bitterly (Mark 14:72).  The regret washed over his spirit.  But after the resurrection, Jesus restored him in John 21:15.  His blessed voice says to all of us, “I want to restore you fully to your relationship with Me.”

Have you fallen?  Have you betrayed the One you love?  You can move from regret to restoration because Jesus has His arms outstretched saying, “Come home.  You’ve been away far too long.”

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, please restore me, I have good intentions, but the flesh overwhelms me.  Please grant me the grace of obedience.

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Luke 5:32

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

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James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

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2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

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Psalm 25:8-9

Good and upright is the Lord;

Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.

The humble He guides in justice,

And the humble He teaches His way.

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1 Peter 5:6

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

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Psalm 149:4

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;

He will beautify the humble with salvation.

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Isaiah 57:15

For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

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